Grants

Common FAQs

What Is The Unity Foundation?

Since 1992, the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County has served donors, nonprofits and LaPorte County. It manages $20 million in assets, administers more than 200 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $8 million in LaPorte County through direct grants and scholarships. Because of Unity’s efforts, an additional $13 million was available to LaPorte County residents and agencies through outside grants and scholarships. The Council on Foundations deemed Unity Foundation in compliance with all Indianaand national ethical and operating standards for community foundations.

Unity helps donors carry out their charitable desires and helps them learn more about the causes they care about. It supports nonprofits through grants and technical assistance with management issues. In addition, Unity provides a permanent, growing source of grants, as well as a neutral meeting ground and leadership on important issues facing the county. For more information, please visit www.uflc.net.

What Are Community Fund Grants?

The Unity Foundation Community Fund was established to be responsive to local needs. This fund is permanent and only the earnings are spent each year. Because the fund is permanently endowed, these grants will be available to sustain our local efforts for generations to come. In 2010, we awarded $125,000 to worthwhile projects and programs in the arts, the environment, health and human services, education, and community development through the Community Fund Grant process.

How Much Can Be Requested?

Requests should be at least $500 and no more than $3,000.

What Is The Timeline?

There is one Community Fund Grant cycle each year.

In 2011, the timeline is as follows:

 Monday, July 18, 2011: Grant requests must be received or postmarked by this date. Late applications cannot be forwarded to the Grant Making Committee.

 Early September 2011: The Grant Making Committee meets to make its recommendations for grant awards.

 Early September 2011: Grant awards are approved by the Board of Directors, based upon recommendations of the Grant Making Committee.

 Mid-September 2011: Decision letters will be mailed to applicants.

 October 18, 2011: Grants are distributed at the Unity Foundation Annual Luncheon.

 July 1, 2011: Year-end report is due.

Who is Eligible?

Generally, only charitable organizations with verifiable 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, and operating or offering programs in LaPorte County, Indiana, will be considered. Start-up or ad hoc organization may not yet have obtained 501(c)(3) status. If that is the case, we suggest you find an organization to “host” the project or program and have them request funds with you.Churches may request funds for non-sectarian purposes only, such as community programs/projects.Governmental bodies, such as townships and fire districts, as well as educational institutions, are also eligible; however, please note the additional restrictions for those organizations under General Grant Making Policies.If you’re not sure if your organization is eligible to apply, call our office at 219.879.0327.

What Are Unity Foundation’s Grant Making Policies?

Unity Foundation of LaPorte County’s Grant Making policies include the following:

 Grants will be made only to those non-profit organizations and programs operating in LaPorte County, Indiana.

 Grants will be made for a wide variety of programs and purposes, while striving for geographical balance.

 No grants will be made to churches for sectarian religious programs.

 No grants will be made for operating budgets or for basic municipal or educational functions and services.

 No grants will be made for endowment campaigns or for previously incurred debts.

 Grants will ordinarily be made for one (1) year only.

 No grants will be made to provide long-term funding.

 No grants will be made for post-event or after-the-fact situations. [If applying for funding for events, applications submitted for the 2011 grant cycle will only be considered for events that occur after October 18, 2011 and, preferably, for events which occur after January 1, 2012.]

Is Unity Foundation Interested in Funding Anything in Particular?

Unity Foundation is nterested in funding programs or projects that fit the following:

 Issues not adequately being serviced by existing community resources;

 Start-up costs for new programs; One-time projects or needs;

 Projects that provide leverage for generating other funds and community resources;

 Projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration between organizations and the communities within LaPorte County, Indiana.

When Can We Request Funds?

Grant requests may be submitted at any time; however, the Grant Making Committee has set July 18, 2011, as the deadline for this grant cycle. All requests must be postmarked by this date. You may be contacted for additional information. Funds will be granted based upon availability.

Can Individuals Request Grant Funds?

Generally, no grants are made to individuals other than grants through scholarships or special awards.

What If We’re Not Sure Our Idea Fits?

If you are not sure if your project or program is eligible for funding from the Foundation, you may call the Foundation office at 219.879.0327, or you may submit a letter of inquiry by email to unity@uflc.net. This letter should contain a brief statement of the program/project needs and enough factual information to determine fit. Please also include a statement indicating you are interested in applying for a Community Fund Grant and want to know if your program is eligible. These inquiries will receive a prompt response in most cases.

What If We Need Help Drafting Our Request?

To attract complete, innovative, and good quality requests, the Foundation recognizes that technical assistance may be needed by organizations. The Foundation staff is available for this purpose and you are encouraged to utilize them as needed. All applications are reviewed prior to submission to the committee, but only applications received at least two weeks prior to the deadline will be offered the opportunity to enhance their applications if necessary.

Who Reviews The Grants?

Unity Foundation has a 12-member Grant Making Committee comprised of a diverse group of men and women from all around LaPorte County. They review the grants and make recommendations on which programs should receive funding, as well as in what amounts. Committee members sign Confidentiality Statements and reveal any potential conflicts of interest each year, as required by the IRS. The Board of Directors reserves the right to decline any request that may jeopardize the Foundation or its IRS §501(c)(3) status.

How Will The Foundation Evaluate Our Request?

It is the general policy of the Foundation to operate without discrimination as to age, race, religion, gender, or national origin in its overall administration and grant making. Diversity, creative community development, and problem solving are greatly encouraged. In reviewing grant proposals, the Unity Foundation generally utilizes the following evaluation criteria:

1. Is there an established need? Will the project/program achieve the desired result?

2. Is it appropriate for the Unity Foundation to make this grant or are there more compatible funding sources?

3. Does the Unity Foundation have adequate resources or is the program/project too big?

4. Will the Unity Foundation’s funds leverage additional resources?

5. Does it fit with the Foundation’s areas of interest and geography?

6. Does it foster collaboration?

7. Does it have multiple impacts?

How Will We Know If We’ve Been Chosen?

All grant requests will be answered in writing. Determinations are generally made in early September, and decision letters are mailed in mid September. Grants are disbursed to recipients in early October.

Do We Need To Do Anything After The Grant Is Made?

Each program/project will be somewhat different. If your organization receives a grant, you will receive a contract. Some contracts may include written details about the specifics of grant payments, follow-up reporting, and evaluation. All grantees are expected to submit a year-end grant report by July 1 of the year following the receipt of the grant.

Will The Grant Awards Be Publicized?

The Foundation will publish general information about its grants in local media, its own printed materials, and annual reports. Publicity about your grant can be done by your organization or in concert with the Foundation. The Foundation may occasionally wish to highlight specific grants and would work closely with your organization to determine the best strategy.

How Do We Apply?

Submit one (1) total copy of the Grant Application Packet found on Unity’s website (www.uflc.net). It will be up to your organization to put its best foot forward in explaining your idea. Please follow the directions included in the application packet closely as you create your request. Mail or hand-deliver all required materials to the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County no later than 5 pm on Monday, July 18, 2011. Applications may be postmarked no later than July 18, 2011. The office is open M-F from 9 am to 5 pm for hand-delivery. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be considered.